Bunting

It's officially party season, and who doesn't need bunting at a party? Or just to decorate a small corner :) I love making bunting, and it was the first thing I made when I purchased my sewing machine. I have made it for friends and family, and been told it's better than most that can be purchased in shops. I will take that compliment!!

What you will need:
* fabric
* ribbon - the length depends on how long your bunting will be (also I used a textured ribbon rather than a shiny finish) but the width should be around an inch across
* sewing machine or a needle and thread
* template like this one (draw a triangle 13cm across the top and 18cm to the point)

What you need to do:
1. Draw and cut out your template, and using a pen draw around the template. You need 2 Triangles for every flag on your bunting.

2. When you have drawn out all your triangles, cut them out and pair up.

3. Pin them together with the outsides touching together. Then sew around the two side edges around 5mm from the edge, and leave the top open.

4. When you have sewn up all your triangles turn them all inside out. Then iron them to make sure that they're flat.

5. Take your ribbon and pin the flags all along, making sure that the gaps in between are uniform. The ribbon should be wide enough for it to fold in half over the flag and cover the top gap. Pin all the way along and iron to make sure its flat. Then sew all along the ribbon making sure that the flags stay firm and the two ribbon edges are sewn together.

Beautiful!!

Hope your parties go well!

Little Details

Wrapping up a gift is very important to me. I love receiving a really well packaged present, and I always put as much thought into wrapping my present as buying the gift inside. Special little details are important to me, even if they only last a few moments until the paper is yanked off! Here are a couple of little details that I have added to my gifts this year, as well as the pom pom gift wrap from an earlier post.

Magic Wand
I have decided to give all my girlies a little magic and make them a wand! It was literally a 30 second make using two 30cm pipe cleaners. I made a zig zag with 4 points at the top, 5 at the bottom and the each end being slightly longer than the zig zags in between. I bent it round for the two points to meet and there is your star. Twist the two ends together and then using the second pipe cleaner wrap it around the twisted ends and there you go. Wrap it around any ribbon or ties that you have on your gift and it adds a 3D element that's a bit special.

Stamped gift tags
Gift tags are something that I have always made myself. I don't understand people who get upset because they can't find a gift tag in the shops that matches their paper. Make your own people!! I just got a large piece of card, took my Christmas stamp set and got a bit stamp happy... Then I cut them out into tag shapes and voila! Done! :)

Good luck with your wrapping people, only four more sleeps 'til Santa!! X

Origami Gift Box

Sometimes, when wrapping all the gifts commences, you suddenly remember something important. For me it is mostly "ahh a box!". So I learnt to make this easy peasy origami box. It can be used for anything, but the best thing I love about it is that it matches the wrapping paper your using; because you can use the wrapping paper!

So what do you need?
* Ruler
* Line drawing implement (pen/pencil)
* Wrapping paper

What do you need to do?
1. Draw out a square roughly 3 times the size that you need the box to be. I made my 30x30cm and it came out 10.5x10.5cm.

2. Putting the print side down and the inside facing up fold the square in half sides touching, open and repeat with the other side so there is a creased cross across your square.

3. Then take all 4 corners and fold into the centre where the two previous creases are crossed over.

4. Next take one edge and fold it over so the edge touches the centre of the square and fold, repeat on the opposite edge.

5. Repeat the last step with the top and bottom thinner edges. You should now have a smaller square.

6. Then unwrap all your folds except for the last two opposite corners touching in the centre like so...

7. Then, looking at the above photo, the square in between my thumb and finger fold inwards on the diagonal to match the edge of the paper to fold in towards the centre of the square, and repeat 4 times around the box.

8. Then take the last corner and fold over the folds and down back into the centre of the box. Repeat on the other side and fix with tape if needed.

Make two squares in total. The second square should be smaller to do the bottom of the box. Mine was 28x28cm and fit just nicely. 

Then all you need to do is stuff with your gift and add a bit of a sparkly ribbon and a lovely tag. Then pass on to the person you love and watch as they are amazed that your box is so pretty... :)

Knitted Bangles

Want to make something lovely and different for a friend for Christmas, or even a cheeky little number for yourself? Look no further! These knitted bangles that I put together in a night are just knitted cosies on an up-cycled old bangle.

I simply took some old bangles and bracelets. I knitted twice the width in a pattern of my choosing, and when stretched out it measured the circumference of the bangle I crocheted the two ends together and sewed the back all together on the inside. Took me no time at all!

X

Glitter Plum Christmas Jam!!

This jam is something that I made some family members for Christmas last year. They all said how much they loved it, so guess what?! They are getting it again!! If they were just being nice then tough! Ha ha!

I found this jam so easy to make, it takes around an hour, and about half an hour to prep. But it depends on the fruit your using.

What you need to make it:
* 350g Bramley Apples
* 1.3kg Plums
* 2 Oranges - juice (although you can use the zest too if you want a more Christmassy taste to it)
* 800g Caster Sugar (but I use Silver spoon preserving sugar and its just as good)
* 2 Lemons - juice only
* Edible Glitter for a bit of sparkle
* A large saucepan
* Thermometer
* Wooden spoon
* Clean Jam jars (around 4 1/2 litres are made)
* Jug
* Ladle

What to do:
1. Peel the apples and grate into the large saucepan, making sure you discard and pips and stalk. Cover with 500ml of water. Bring to the boil and cook until all the liquid has evaporated and the shreds of apple are falling apart.

2. While the apple is boiling take your plums (skin and everything, except the stones), and chop them all up into small chunks. Then when the apple is ready add them to the pan with the juice of the two oranges.

3. When the fruit starts to fall apart and the colour comes out of the skins to make the jam a lovely plum red colour, add the sugar and the juice of the two lemons.

4. Make sure that you constantly stir the mixture so that the sugar doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Place the thermometer onto the edge of the pan and wait until the mix is 104C in temperature. The jam will bubble and plop, be super careful as the sugar will burn you if it gets on you.

5. When the jam reaches the required temperature it is time to sterilise your jars. To do this I cleaned the jars thoroughly, then, leaving a small amount of water in the bottom of the jar I popped them into the microwave for 3 minutes on high. When they come out I pop them onto a tray with a tea towel on it, so that they don't slip and cover me in hot jam (it is likely to happen!).

6. Then I do the best bit. I take my edible glitter (any colour you want, last year it was gold, this year pink!) and sprinkle sprinkle into my jam. Give it a super mix and you are done so take it off the heat.

7. The next bit is the tricky bit. Some people use special funnels, some fancy cloths. Whatever you do just get it in the jar. I use a ladle into a pourable jug and poor it from the jug into my jar. Seal properly and your done.

All you need to do now is make your jars look pretty. However you chose to do that is fine by me. I usually pick fabric squares and a rustic string to wrap around the lid to protect it. :) Good luck with your jam making! X

White Christmas

Because I work in UK retail I don't get much time for Christmas. I get one extra day off. So my lovely man is providing me with many Christmases this year. Our first was yesterday, which involved mulled cider, friends, knitted jumpers and watching many Christmas films. It was really enjoyable! The best film of course was Home Alone! Who doesn't love this song???

Pom Poms and Presents!

I love wrapping presents in beautiful ways. Mostly because giving presents, although I love doing it, terrifies me. In my eyes a beautifully wrapped present is half the gift :)

So when wrapping the present for friends after they had their first baby, I decided for a simple pom pom. Strangely I know someone who doesn't know how to make pom poms and I wondered how many others don't know. So here it is, how to make a pom pom!

Things you will need:
*Card (scraps will do)
*Something round to use as a template
*Pen - to use to draw the template
*Scissors
*Yarn

What to do:
1. Take your piece of card, I used a Christmas card that I had spare, and draw around your template. Then draw a smaller circle inside of that (using a second round thing if you want). The thinner the ring the fatter your pom pom, and the larger the ring the larger your pom pom!

2. Then, making sure that you have 2 of the same ring, start wrapping your yarn around the ring.

3. Keep wrapping it around until the hole in the middle is not there anymore. Then take your scissors and carefully cut around the edge of the pom pom in between the two pieces of card. Then take another piece of yarn and put it in between the two pieces of card, pull it tight and tie a knot. Then cut the card and take it off the pom pom.

4. Take the pom pom, which probably has lots of sticky out bits, and trim it so its nice and spherical. Then take your box, wrap the inside nice and pretty. Tie the yarn around the outside and attach the pom pom at the top. Pretty and cute!

X

Felt Decorations

These are some decorations that I made last year for everyone I knew. They are so easy and take minutes!

What you need:
* Felt
* Contrasting thread
* Beads or other decorative bits and pieces
* Ribbon
* Stuffing

What you need to do:
1. Decide what shape you want to make your decorations. I made stars, gingerbread men, Christmas trees, angels.
2. Make a template so that all your shapes are the same size.
3. For every decoration you need 2 of the same shape.
4. Taking your 2 shapes and a piece of ribbon, loop the ribbon over and start by sewing the loop ends to the top of the two shapes in between them, to make the hanger. Then blanket stitch around three quarters of the shape leaving a gap to add the stuffing.
5. Stuff the decoration leaving it nice and plump.
6. Stitch the last quarter of the decoration and your done!

"It's all sewn up in a neat little package!"

Snow Baubles

With this being the first Christmas in our own home we have inherited a lot of Christmas bits and pieces. I love having things handed down to me. I have ended up with some beautiful vintage baubles that were my grandma's aunts! Very old!!

But some baubles can do with a little re-vamp, which is just what I did! 

Things you will need:

• baubles
• paint to cover the baubles (I used white poster paint)
• PVA glue
• Snow (obviously not real snow, but you can buy it in packets in most places now)

What to do:
1. Take your baubles and give them a couple of coats of paint depending on the base colour of the baubles and the final effect that you want. Leave to dry in between coats.
2. When dry, put your snow into a bowl to make the next bit easier. Then cover your bauble in a coat of PVA glue and then dunk into your bowl of snow and cover all over. Leave to dry.

It is as easy as that!

If you need a couple of coats you could always use spray mount to add a second layer. But mine were great after the first layer :)

Does anyone else have any good bauble re-vamp ideas?

x

Kitty Cat and baby Mary Janes

It seems to be baby season and I have many baby gifts to make! With some already here and more on the way, I'd better get a move on quick! So, what fast things can I make for a little baby girl? Well, I found this amazing pattern for some cute crochet Mary Jane slippers. When I went to buy some baby yarn I found Sirdars Snuggly Snowflake, its super soft and when crocheted up its super snuggly and soft and looks like a little cloud.

Information
Size: 0-6 Months
Guage: Sole measures 3 1/2inches
 
Materials

A small amount of baby yarn - I used Sirdar Snowflake in white!
5.50mm Crochet hook

How To:
Sole
Ch 8
1. 2 HTR in 3rd ch from hook, TR in next 4 chs, 6TR in last ch. Working on other side of chain, in free loops, HTR in next 4 chs. (3 HTR) in last ch. Join w/ sl st to beg ch. (20 sts)
2. CH 1, 2 DC in same st. DC in next 8 sts, (2DC in next st)3 times. DC in next 6 sts. (2 DC in next st) 2 times. Join with sl st to first DC. (26 sts)

Sides
3. (Working in back loops this rnd) Ch 2, HTR in each st around. Join (26 sts) 
4. Ch 2, HTR in next 10 sts, (TR next 2 sts tog)3 times. HTR in next 7 sts. HTR next 2 sts tog. Join to first HTR. 
5. CH 1, DC in same st. DC in next 9 sts. TR 5 sts TOG as one--->[(YO, insert hook in next st, YO, pull up a loop, pull through 2 loops on hook)5 times. YO and pull through all loops on hook]. DC in next 7 sts. Join to first DC.

The Strap
6. Ch 1, DC in same st. DC in next 6 sts. Ch *4*, DC next 7 sts. DC in last 4 sts. Join to first DC (15) 
7. Ch 1, DC in same st. DC in all stitches around. Join (15)
The Bow - using a size 3.00mm crochet hook and some baby yarn.
1. Ch 17, TR in 3rd ch from hook and in each st across (14)
Row 2-6: CH 2, HTR across
Row 7: Sl st in next 7 sts, ch 10 and then tie off, wrap the chain around the bow making the centre tie. Leave the end to attatch to the Mary Jane shoes.

The second present I made was a little cat! I thought I wanted to make something along the lines of the Fox that I made my friends little boy when he was born, but this time I chose a cat. I chose a fleecy fabric to make it super soft and embroidered onto the cat rather than using buttons, just in case baby swallows them. A cute little make I think! :)

 

Santa bring my baby back (to me)

It is exactly one month until Christmas! There is still so much to do. I have hardly had time to do any Christmas crafts, I need to write my cards (usually I make them so this makes me feel sad), but the one good thing is that I can start listening to Christmas songs.. Like Santa bring my baby back (to me) by Elvis Presley!

Craft time will start tomorrow :)

Stitch Markers

With Christmas coming, I have lots of intricate patterns that I need stitch markers for. I went to all my local haberdasheries to find some but was shocked when I wasn't able to find one in any of them! So, what did I do then? Well I made my own of course!

You will need:
Beads - different sizes and shapes, it doesn't matter what you want, just make them you! :)
Lobster clasp findings for necklaces or bracelets
Needle and thread
Scissors

Method:
Take your thread and put it on your needle. Tie a knot in the end making sure it's secure enough to hold the beads, especially if they are a little heavier. Then thread your beads onto the thread. When they are all on, thread the lobster clasp onto the top and take your needle and thread back through the beads and tie at the bottom to give it extra security.

And that's it, all sewn up!

Granite Snood

Recently my spare time has been filled with a few different projects but I don't seem to be getting anywhere with them, so I decided that I needed to concentrate on one at a time. So snood it is! Winter is coming, and it's definitely getting colder in the mornings. I love to wrap up in a knitted snood.

I used the Granite stitch in crochet from my earlier post to make the snood. It's an easy stitch and one you can do while not really paying attention to it. I made my snood by chaining 26 stitches with a size 6 crochet hook, and I stitched until the piece was about 130cm. When I finished, I put a twist in the piece and crocheted the two ends together.

 

Stay Warm x

You've got her in your pocket

I love going to a gig and being swallowed up by the atmosphere. After being very ill last week I managed a moment of emotion at a Jack White gig. He sang his song 'You've got her in your pocket' and even he choked back the tears. The whole crowd was silent and sang along right at the end. A beautiful moment for all involved! I know that youtube videos never give the full effect of the moment but this isn't a bad audio to show you the beauty. Have you ever had a moment like that? Please share, it would be good to hear!

Hand Warmers

Getting up in a morning is something that I struggle with at the best of times. But knowing that I have to go out to 3 degrees cold in a morning really makes me want to stay under the covers. So, I decided to make a couple of hand warmers to keep my hands and pockets warm on my way to work. They are so simple and easy to make, I recommend that you all try.

Materials:
Some cosy fabric of your choice (I used some fleece fabric from an old blanket)
Some yarns
Some decorative pieces
Barley or Rice
Scent filling (optional, but I used dried lavender)

 

I took my fleece fabric and cut out two shapes, I chose hearts as they fit nicely in the palms of my hands. I then used the knitted hearts from my earlier tutorial and stitched the heart to the front of one of my heart cut outs.

Then using a blanket stitch I took my yarn and stitched all around the edge of the heart, making sure that there are no large gaps and leaving about an inch gap near to the end to be able to put the filling in.

Then I mixed up some pearl barley and some dried lavender and spooned it into the gap that I had left. Make sure that you fill all the corners and gaps inside the warmers and fit as much in as you can (you don't want a saggy hand warmer). Then stitch up the final section and finish off. 

Then when you are ready to go out, pop them in the microwave for around 20 seconds and they should last around 20 minutes in your pockets or your gloves (if they are small enough to fit). They are great for short journeys and something that I am going to be making for a few friends for little stocking fillers! Now I am looking forward to my morning walks.. x

Hearts of mine..

After noticing a lot of purple knits on the high street recently, my love for purple has grown. So, as part of some Christmas presents I am going to be making, I decided to knit some cute little hearts as embellishments. I have been knitting 2 years now and I have never knitted a heart before, how can it be? But they are pretty easy and so here is my tutorial on how I made my hearts.

The materials that I used for my little hearts are size 4mm knitting needles, applicable scrummy heather coloured yarn (I found it in my stash, no idea what make it is), scissors and yarn needle for tidying up the ends.

Abbreviations:

sts = stitches

m1 = make a stitch from the previous row

ssk = slip, slip, knit

k2tog = knit 2 together

k = knit

Directions for a heart 6 cm across and about 5 cm down

Cast on 3sts

Row 1: K

Row 2: K1, M1, K1, M1, K1

Row 3: K

Row 4: K1, M1, K3, M1, K1

Row 5: K, Tie off at the end.

Then cast on another 3 stitches and repeat these 5 rows. At the end of the 5th row the second time around don't tie off. Your two sections should be side by side on one needle making sure that purl side is facing towards you as you go into the next row.

Row 6: K all the way across the two pieces to join them together, making sure you pull tightly in the centre to keep them together.
Row 7 - 9: K
Row 10: K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2TOG, K
Row 11: K
Repeat rows 10 and 11 until there are just two stitches left. Then bind off and there you go, a cute little knitted heart. Suitable for so many purposes!

To finish, the heart darn the loose threads into the heart, coaxing it into shape if its a little misshapen. A good tip is to slip stitch the first stitch of every row to make a nice boarder, but it's not necessary, I didn't this time around.

To make a wider heart just add more stitches into the first 5 rows where you can, and to make a longer heart add more knit rows before you start the decrease at row 10.

Lovely! x